Drilling system



A118 l6, 1966 G. HoMANlcK 3,266,582

' DRILLING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 24, 1962A 5 sheets-sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

GEORGE HoMnN/c/c BY G. HoMANlcK 3,266,582

DRILLING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m. m. m w a M .6 w m uw 1 m 7 o H u n El|\ N) ma m y EN I N N E L W" mm\ L B Aug. 16, 1966 Filed Aug. 24, 1962Aug. 16, 1966 G. HoMANlcK v DRILLING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 24, 1962 5Sheets-Shea?l 3 l l I I l I I l DRILLING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A118-16, 1966 G. HoMANlcK DRILLING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 24, 1962 Q d@ l GEORGEHoMn/v/c/C BY (Jaja/g .S'Ern CRA/6 ,47' Tok/w56 United States Patent O3,266,582 DRHLLING SYSTEM George Homanick, Livonia, Mich., assigner toThe Leyman Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio Filed Aug. 24, 1962, Ser. No.219,264 8 Claims. (Cl. 175--57) This invention relates to a noveldrilling system, and more particularly to a high-speed drilling systemwherein all make-up operations are effected at the derrick oor level, ascompared to the conventional arrangement where joints are made fromthirty to ninety feet in the air above the drilling oor.

THE PROBLEM A conventional drilling rig utilizes a derrick in whichsections or stands of drill pipe are racked on end so that the elevatorssupported by the travelling block can be attached to the top end to liftand swing the sections into place over the drill string for connectionbefore going into the bore. It will be obvious from the foregoing thatin order to connect the top of a stand or section to the elevators, aman is required at that point to make the connection. Since 'a sectionof drill pipe is thirty feet long, minimum, it is obvious that the mansupervising this operation must be at least thirty feet in the air, ason a swinging scaffold or other support. It will be obvious that thisitself is not only a dangerous operation, ibut in the case ofmalfunction of the connecting operation, there is not only the highdanger, but the additional fact that the equipment is practicallyinaccessible as regards the ability of a man with only two hands, i.e.,without power equipment, dangling in the air to correct the malfunction.

Accordingly, it is believed that it will be obvious to those skilled inthe art that the present method of drilling earth bores such as oilwells, using elevators, and connecting to a section at a minimum ofthirty feet in the air, is not only dangerous, but an antiquated systemand method of operation.

It is also known that on floating drilling vessels, the problems ofguiding and stabbing drill pipe and drill collars on a rocking vesselare extremely complicated. The pendulum-like swinging action of thetravelling block and drill pipe combination is extremely hazardous andmakes alignment and threading of the pipe connections difficult andtime-consuming. In handling drill collars, guiding and positioning iseffected by ropes; and the physical efforts of men and the dangers tothem in performing these operations, even in the calmest of seas, leavesmuch to be desired.

Accordingly, an important advance in the art would b OBJECTS OF THEINVENTION It is accordingly an important object of the present inventionto provide a novel drilling system capable of interim automation,requiring no physical effort, but -retaining human control andmonitoring.

A further object is to provide semi-automatic method and apparatus formaking and breaking drill string wherein the pipe sections are alwaysconfined and guided.

ice

A further object is vto provide method and apparatus for drillingwherein the pendulum swinging action of the travelling block and drillpipe during make-up operations is nullied.

A still further object is to provide -rnethod and apparatus for drillingwherein all pipe make-'and-break operations are performed atsubstantially derrick oor level, thus making it easy to monitor alldrill string assembly and disassembly operations.

A further object is to provide method and apparatus for drilling,wherein the upper and lower ends of the drill pipe sections -are guidedand confined in all pipemaking and breaking and transferring operationsby the aid of automation components.

A further object is to provide method and apparatus for drilling whereinhydraulic control of the drill head provides accurate and shocklessthread engagement.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

FIGURE l is a fragmentary side elevation view of drilling apparatusincorporating the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2A is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the travelling block and drillhead assembly of FIGURE 1 with the drill head lowered to the bottom ofthe travelling block in contrast to the raised position of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation View of FIGURE 3;

FIGURES 5-10 are schematic illustrations showing a trip-in sequence; and

FIGURES 11-15 are schematic illustrations showing a trip-out sequence.

PERSPECTIVE VIEW Briey, the present invention relates to method andapparatus for drilling wherein a derrick, travelling block and draw'works of substantially conventional arrangement form the environmentalsurroundings for a novel powered drill head that cooperates with atransfer unit and powered trolley device to retain a drill stringsection under control at all times and guide the same either into or outof alignment on the drilling axis with a degree of accuracy greater thanthat provided by hand make-up operations and providing improved safetyby the elimination of manual labor for such operations.

It is further to be noted that all stands are racked horizontally andall make-up operations performed at drilling floor level.

THE ENVIRONMENT ported by X-braces 36 and 38 are utilized for verticaltravel and alignment of the drill head suspension assembly 40 formingpart of the invention. A conventional draw works, not shown withdepending cables 39 is utilized for controlling assembly 40.

In view of the foregoing brief environmental description, a complete andaccurate description of the invention now follows:

THE INVENTION The drill head suspension assembly 40 As best shown inFIGURES 1 4 a travelling block assembly is indicated at 42 and includesa housing 44 in which two sheaves 46 are journalled in axially aligned,but spaced relation as best indicated in FIGURES 2 and 4 withinappropriate recesses 4S. It will be noted that the housing 44 is ofsubstantial body, providing great structural strength for purposes oflifting a drill string of many tons of weight. As part of housing 44, itwill be noted that at the sides, there are two downwardly extendingplate-like support arms 50, which as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 areprovided with openings 52 in in the upper portions to accommodatehydraulic cylinders 54, and openings 56 in the lower portion havingparallel sides 58 that serve as guides for vertically movable supportblocks 60 and 61.

It will be noted that each of the hydraulic cylinders 54 is tted with apiston rod 62, connected at its lower end to the top surfaces 64, 65 ofsupport blocks 60, 61. It will be understood that by appropriateapplication of hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder 54, thesupport blocks 60, 61 can be vertically moved with a high degree ofaccuracy under powered control.

The entire drill head suspension assembly 40, including the travellingblock assembly 42, just described, is adapted for guided verticalmovement in cooperative relationship with the previously mentionedparallel vertical guides 34 carried by the derrick 20, through sets 74of guide rolls placed at the top and bottom on the travelling blockassembly. By reference to the drawings, each set '74 of guide rolls willbe noted to include two Aspaced side rolls 66, engageable with the edges68 of parallel vertical guides 34; and a center roll 70 oriented 90relative to the axes of rolls 66, to engage face 72 of vertical guides34. While the roll 70 is shown to be in planar axial alignment, butoriented 90 from rolls 66, it is to be understood that the broad scopeof invention would include other than planar axial alignment of allthree rolls. Designating each of the sets of rolls including rolls 66and roll 70 as a set 74, it will be noted that four such sets areemployed and by reference to FIGURE 4 that two sets are used along eachside of the travelling block assembly at top and bottom in verticalalignment to provide accurately guided movement of the drill headsuspension assembly along the drilling axis 76.

The drill head Also, by reference to FIGURES 1-4 of the drawings, thedrill head, designated by the reference numeral 78, will be observed tobe cradled between the support arms G of travelling 4block assembly 42,as best shown in FIGURE 4, and being supported on heavy stub shafts 80at each side in suitable apertures 82 at the lower portion of travellingsupport blocks 60, 61. Note that spacers 84 are provided :at each sideof the drill head 78 to provide clearance between the sides of the unitand the travelling support blocks 60, 61. 0n the support Iblock 60 side,the spacer 84 is tted with a ring gear 86 that mates with a power gear88 of a reversible motor 90, carried in a recess 91 in travelling block60 in spaced relationship above the stub `shaft 80. By this arrangement,the orientation of the drill head 78 can be accurately controlled forpurposes to be hereinafter described. Of course, it is to -be understoodthat motor 90 can be either fluid powered or electrically poweredcommensurate with supplies available at the drilling site.

It will be noted that the drill head 78 is provided with anaxially-extending drill stub or spindle 92 having a male box joint 94 atthe terminal end, 'best shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2, for connection tothe female box joint of a pipe section or drill stem in a manner to behereinafter described.

It is to be understood that the spindle 92 can be made hollow, and issupported for powered rotation in suitable bearings contained within thebody of the drill head 78. In this connection, it will be noted fromFIGURE 2 that the top of the body 44 of the travelling block 42 isprovided ywith an aperture 45 to provide access into the interior of thehollow spindle 92 and thus into the drill string during drillingoperations for tests, logging, -shing purposes and the like. It is to beunderstood that the drill head would include suitable shut-off valves aswill be evident to those skilled in the art.

T lie central make-up area By reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the centralmakeup area is designated 96 and is suitably positioned on the frontside of the derrick 20 and the axis of operation is horizontal and inalignment, but transverse to the drilling :axis 76.

The .central make-up area 96 includes a transfer unit 98 that is adaptedto support drill pipe at the forward or female box end, and a poweredtrolley 11N) to hold or trap and guide the other end of a pipe sectionor stand. Before describing specic details of the transfer unit, it willbe mentioned that this unit clamps the female end of the pipe and servesto displace the pipe section or stand axially for pipe make-up or spinout with the drill head spindle 92 when the same has been powered into ahorizontal position.

Now, |by reference to FIGURES l and 2, it will be noted that thetransfer unit 9S includes a vertically extensible standard 162 that isin effect a hydraulic hoist including a cylinder 1114 and piston 106, itbeing understood that suitable supply lines will be provided for anappropriate hydraulic actuating fluid. It is also to be understood thatlimits are established for vertical movement of the device.

It will be noted that a support plate 108 is provided at the top ofcylinder 1114 and carries a hydraulic cylinder 110 -at the right endthereof, as viewed in FIGURE l. The support plate 168 is provided with aguideway, hidden, in the form of a slot, to facilitate linear movementof a T-shaped support 112 having a horizontal leg 114 and a vertical leg116 extending upwardly at about the center. It will -be understood thatthe horizontal leg 114 is provided with guide means on the bottom side,hidden, to mate with the guide slot of support plate 108. Also, formovement purposes, the horizontal leg 114 is provided with a downwardlyextending tab 118, passing through the hidden slot of support plate 10S.The hydraulic cylinder 110 is provided with a piston rod 120 that hasits -left end secured to the tab 118 and thus it will =be understoodthat by `appropriate application of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder, thesupport 112 can beV moved linearly toward and away from the male boxjoint 94 of the drill head stub 92, shown in FIGURES l and '2.

At this point it should be noted that vertical leg 116 is V-notched tocradle the drill stand and abut the back side of the female joint.

By reference to FIGURE 1, it will be understood that the horizontal leg114 of bracket 112 extends forwardly beyond the vertical leg 116 toprovide a cylinder support platform as at 122, as shown in FIGURE 2A. Asshown in FIGURE 2A, the platform 122 carries opposing cylinders 124 withfemale box end grippers 126 at the forward ends of the piston rods 128to grip the box end while the drill head spins in the male lbox joint94.

In order that action may be controlled from a fixed starting point, astop control cylinder 130 is carried on platform 122 and has its pistonrod 132 connected to a stop arm 134, slidable along the forward end ofsupport platform 122 in a guide as at 136, FIGURE 2A.

From the foregoing, without reference to the trolley supporting theright or male end of the stand, it will vbe observed that when the standis positioned within the V-n-otch of the vertical leg 116 of support112, cylinder 110 can be used to power the 4support 112 forwardly toabut the rear end of the box joint 138, FIGURE 2, and move the box jointforward to abut the pivot stop arm `184, having been moved intoengageable relation by actuation of stop control cylinder 130. Actuatingcylinder 130, to extend rod 132, is effective to move the stop arm 134into alignment with the stand. This is the indexing operation and placesthe box end 138 in an exact position so that subsequent powering motionof cylinder 110 is effective to move the box end 138 forward to an exactengaging position with the male box end 94 of drill head 78 undercareful control. It will be noted that the opposing cylinders 124 powerthe female box end grippers 126 to grasp the box end 138 and preventrotation during the spin-in of the male box joint 94.

The make-up section trolley As best shown at the right side of FIGUR-ESl and 2, the make-up section trolley is generally designated by thereference numeral 100. However, before describing the specifi-c detailsof the trolley, it should be pointed out that it operates on a pair ofparallel and horizontally disposed rails 142 supported by posts 143. Itwill be noted that the rails 142 are of U-channel, providing an upwardlyopen trough.

It will be noted that the trolley 100 includes a body member 146 havingupper rollers 148 journalled to the sides thereof as on shafts` 150,FIGURE 2, and adapted to glide in the up-open trough of the rails .142;and lower rollers 152 journalled as by shafts, hidden, and adapted toengage the underside of rails '142 and lock on the body 146 for linearmovement along the ra-ils.

At the forward end of the body 146, there is provided a yoke 154 in theform of upper and lower forwardly extending arms 156 and 158 betweenwhich are pivotally mounted retractable pipe support arms 160, 162, FIG-URE 2. As best shown in FIGURE 2, vthe arms 160, 162 are provided attheir back ends with apertured bosses '164, 166, through which areextended vertical pivot pins 16S. .Forwardly of the bosses 164, 166,each arrn 160, 162 is provided with an outwardly-extending, wing-likeroller arm 170, 172. `It will be noted that rollers 174 are journalledon the outer ends of arms 170, 172 to iit within the channel or troughof rails 142. By this arrangement, as will be described later, the arms160, 162 are held together to support the bottom of a stand duringmovement to the drill axis, but can be cammed outwardly and inwardly topass around a pipe at the drilling axis.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, it will also be noted that the arms 160, 162carry at their extreme forward ends horizontally disposed rolls 176 oftapered configuration. Rearwardly and upwardly of the rolls 176 there isalso provided a set of oppositely disposed rolls 178 having their innerends spaced slightly, as indicated. At this point, it should also bementioned that the forward rolls 176 are also spaced slightly at theirinner ends in the same manner. The rear rolls 178 are also tapered. Thislconfiguration is advantageous in that a drill stand 18() placed on theforward rolls will be directed to the center automatically to be cradledin the slot between the inner ends of the rolls.

By reference to FIGURES l and 2, it will be noted that the rolls`176 and178 have their axes spaced apart a distance slightly greater than thelength of a box joint 182 of the drill stand 180. This permits somelatitude in loading, by a suitable crane mechanism, of the drill stand180 into the make-up section trolley 100 and onto the forward transferunit 98. As previously mentioned, provision is made for slack ormisalignment in the transfer unit 98, by virtue of the upstandingvertical leg 116 of support 112.

Before proceeding further with the discussion, it should be noted thatthe arms 160, 162 of the trolley 6 are opened and closed by cam trackslocated adjacent the front ends of the trackways or rails 142.

By reference to FIGURE 2A of the drawings, it will accordingly be notedthat each track 142 is provided with a detour or switch section 184 thatincludes front gates 186 and rear gates 1-88. It will be understood thatwhen the front gates 186 are opened and the rollers 174 of arms 160, 162of the trolley 100 are diverted to the detour switch section 1'84, thearms will be swung apart while passing through the detour section andthen will be pulled back together in leaving the detour section. Thegates 186 and 1188 are so arranged and interlocked that when one set isopen, the other set is closed and spring-loaded to the closed position.Thus, in the position shown in FIGURE 2, when the trolley 100 is movedforwardly, the gates 188 are opened to pass the wheels 174 and thenreturn to the position indicated. When the trolley is reversed, thegates `186 now being opened will divert the wheels 174 to the detourchannels 184 and swing the arms 160, 162 apart and then as they pass outof the detour section they will be swung back together again. This isused in the trip-in cycle as will be described later. In the trip-outcycle the gates are reversed; thus the gates 188 are closed and thegates 186 spring-loaded to an open position. The manner in which thisfunction takes place also will be described hereinafter.

The trolley 100 is powered by connection to a chain 100a that is carriedby sprockets 104th, 100e, and is positioned along the side of thecentral make-up area 96, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The sprockets 100b, 100C are mounted on shafts for rotary movement,carried in antifriction bearings, and chain 188e runs therebetween.Power for driving the chain 100:1 is supplied by a hydraulic motor ltld,connected to a gearreducer 100e and in turn connected in drivingrelation to the shaft on which the sprocket e is carried. A servo valve1001 controls motor 100d.

Connection between trolley 100 and chain 100e is provided by an arm 100gextending from trolley body 146, FIGURE 2, an-d connected at its outerend to the chain as at 100k.

The power tong equipment As part of the environmental background of thepresent invention, tonging and bowl chuck equipment indicated by thereference numeral 190 is provided on the derrick floor to support thedrill string, and to make-andbreak pipe joints. Also, blow-out preventerequipment of known configuration is utilized, though not described toavoid complicating the disclosure.

Referring to FIGURE 1, and as shown schematically, it will be noted thatthe tonging and bowl chuck equipment includes a make-and-break chuck 192and a bowl chuck 194. By reference to FIGURE 4, it will lbe noted thatthe make-and-break chuck 192 includes a set of three radially movableupper guide arms 196, powered by suitable hydraulic cylinders forguiding the male bottom box joint 182 of a drill stand into the topfemale box joint of the drill stem supported in the bowl chuck 194. Inthe housing 198 of the make-and-break chuck 192, there is provided anupper set of rotatable makeand-break arms 200 and a lower set ofnon-rotatable make-and-break arms 202. The upper make-and-break arms 200are supported within a sub-housing, not shown, that is rotatablerelative to the main housing 198; however, the lower set ofmake-and-break arms 202 is not rotatable. Thus, when the lower set ofarms 202 is clamped against the top box joint of the drill string andthe arms 200 against the bottom box joint of a superjacent drill standand the arms 200 rotated, the joint will be either made or broken out.Further, details of the make-and-break chuck alluded to will be found inco-pending application Serial Number 52,274, now Patent No. 3,158,213,led August 26, 1960 and assigned to the same assignee as the presentinvention.

Although automatic equipment is preferred, economic factors may notjustify such; therefore, within the broad scope, the present inventionis adapted to use with a conventional bowl chuck and power tongs at thisenvironmental point of the description. The automatic mechanism 192alluded to, will, of course, provide for substantially completeautomation or interim automation in accordance with the presentinvention.

PRELUDE TO OPERATION Before providing a detailed description of themanner of operation of the present invention, it should be pointed outthat an important aspect of the interim automation System is Never letgo of the drill pipe. This means that both upper and lower ends of thedrill stand to be added or removed from the drill string are guided andconfined in all pipe-making and transferring operations by the aid ofautomated components. This arrangement clearly circumvents thependnlum'swinging action of the travelling block and drill pipe duringthe makeup operation, which, of course, is extremely hazardous and oftendamaging to the tool joint threads. Especially in marine operations onfloating drilling vessels, the premise of the present invention, Neverlet go of the drill pipe will become specially evident to those steepedin this art.

In View of the foregoing and now turning to FIG- URES -10 of thedrawings, inclusive, a trip-in sequence will be analyzed.

OPERATION The trip-in sequence By reference to FIGURE 5, it -will benoted that the rotatable drill stub 92 of drill head 78 has, by rotatingthe drill string, driven the bit into earth formations to the pointwhere the top female box end 138` is at the bottom of the make-and-breakchuck 192, FIGURE l, so that it can be gripped by the lower radially xedjaws 202, FIGURE 4. Further, it will be noted that the support block 60has moved to the bottom of the parallel sides or ways 58 of the supportarms 5t) so that during the drilling operation, the entire weight of thestring has been supported by the travelling block assembly 42 ratherthan by the hydraulic cylinders 54, FIG- URE 3, whose function is toprovide vertical adjustability to the drill head 78 during make-upoperations.

And now `by reference to FIGURE 6, it will be noted that the jointbetween the drill head spindle 92 and the string has been broken throughthe functioning of the make-and-break chuck 192, and that the drill head78 has been raised through functioning of the cylinders S4, FIGURES 3and 4, to lift the terminal end 94 of the drill spindle 92 upwardly toclear the make-and-break chuck 192.

Now by reference to` FIGURE 7, it will be noted that the drill head 78has been indexed 90 to the horizontal from the previous ve-rticalposition, and by means of a pre-set stop, aligned with a dou-ble drillstand 1S@ supported at its forward end by the transfer 'unit 98 and `byits rear end by the powered trolley i). It should be noted by referenceto FIGURE 7 that the trolley 165) after being loaded is, at this point,moved forwardly a short distance and the purpose is to prevent the malebox joint 182 from being dropped off the rolls 176, FIGURE 2, when thetransfer unit 9S moves the stand 180 forwardly to spin in the jointbetween the male box joint 94 of the drill head and the female box joint138 of the stand.

By reference now to FIGURE 8, it will be noted that the drill head '78and stand 180 have been joined, it being understood that the verticallyextensible standard 102, FIGURE 1, has been retracted downwardly toclear the trolley 100 when it comes forward as the stand is lifted.

Now by reference to FIGURE 9, it will be understood 'that the, drin head7s has been raised with forward movement of the trolley 10i) to bringthe stand 18) into alignment over the drill string. Note that thetrolley 10i) has retained the bottom end of the stand in a trappedposition throughout this movement. Also note that the trolley 10), rolls176 and 178 now hold the bottom end of the stand 181) in close verticalalignment to the drill stem for the stabbing-in operation which follows.Note that the drill head 78 has been retained in its same relativeposition by the hydraulic cylinders 54, FIGURES l and 3, on theplate-like support arms 50 of travelling block assembly 42 of drill headsuspension assembly 4t) so that movement of drill 'head 78 and trolley19) have been tied together.

Note in FIGURE 9, that at this instant the make-andbreak chuck 192 ispowered upwardly and the upper guide arms 196 powered inwardly to graspthe stand in guiding relation just above the male box joint 182. By thisoperation, control of the lower end of the stand is also assumed by themake-and-break chuck; but when the trolley is reversed and arms 161),162 separated, control will be transferred entirely to themake-and-break chuck until make-up is complete.

By reference to FIGURE 10, it will be noted that the downward movementof the stand 180 has been effected through the hydraulic cylinders 54,FIGURES l and 3, of the travelling block assembly and the make-and-breakchuck 192 sim-ultaneously lowered to stab-in the joint. This .iseffected by rotation of the drill spindle and by the interaction of jaws21)() and 262, FIGURE 4, of the make-and-break chuck 192. At this time,the trolley 104) has been retracted, causing the det-our segments 134 ofthe cam tracks to pivot the arms 160, 162 outwardly around the stand torelease the same. Also, as shown in FIGURE 10, release of themake-and-break chuck mechanism from the stand and further release of thebowl chuck 194 has been effected so that drilling can be resumed.

Summatz'on of the typical trip-n cycle The drill pipe yis removed from ahorizontal storage area and deposited by an automatically positionedcrane in the central make-up area, still in a horizontal position.Simultaneously, the drill head 78 which has just lowered the entire pipestring into the bowl chuck 194, spins out and is hydraulically elevatedso that the stub thereof clears the make-and-break chuck 192. In thisposition the drill head 78 swings 90 to the horizontal 4to make-up withthe next stand of pipe. With the drill head spindle rotating, thetransfer unit displaces the next stand of drill pipe into a matingrelationship with the drill head spindle. After the connection is made,the drill head and pipe elevate to the upper terminal position, with thetrol-ley guiding the movement of the lower end of the drill pipe rightinto the derrick to the drilling axis. The make-an-break chuck elevatesand extends the pipe guiding jaws around the lower end of the drillpipe, to provide lthe required guidance during the ensuing pipe stabbingoperation. The drill head and `make-an-break chuck descend with thedrill pipe rotating into a mating relationship with the drill pipestring supported in the safety chuck. VIt is important to note that thisdescending movement of the drill pipe takes place by hydraulicallyfeeding the drill head and pipe combination while the t1 avelling blockremains stationary, thus providing accurate and shockless threadengagement.

After the lower tool joint connection is made, the make-and-break chuckseats the joint to the required torque value. Now, with the bowl chuck194 open and the load supported by the travelling block, the entirestring is lowered sixty (60) feet while the trolley moves back to itsyoriginal position. The bowl chuck is again set and the drill head spinsout and is hydraulically elevated to clear the make-and-break chuck,whereupon the drill head yis rotated to the horizontal position forjoint is then broken.

repetition of the cycle by makeup with the next stand of -drill pipe.

Note that .all of this action has taken place without the interventionof human hands to the make-up operation. Only push button humanintervention has been provi-ded by the operator or hoist man controllingthe vertical position of the drill head suspension assembly and thedrill head on the travelling b-lock assembly by operation of thehydraulic cylinders 54.

The trip-out sequence Now by reference to FIGURES 11-15, inclusive, atrip-out sequence will be analyzed in accordance With the presentinvention.

As shown in FIGURE 1l, we may assume that the drill stub 92 of the drillhead 78 has been connected to the top end of the dri-ll string throughcooperative operation With the make-and-break chuck 192 and the bowlchuck 194. Travelling block assembly 42 is bottomed on a positive stopand then drill head 78 lowered hydraulically by cylinders 54 to makeengagement with tool joint 138. A positive point of reference is thusprovided and the stop removes springiness of cables 39.

By reference to FIGURE 12, the make-and-break chuck 192 and the bowlchuck 194 Aare released and power applied t-o the lifting block assembly42, through the sheaves 46; and the entire string has been raised toexpose a double stand 180 with the bottom male box joint 182 in.alignment with the break-out jaws 200, FIGURE l, and the top female end138 in alignment with the bottom jaws 202 of the make-and-break chuck192. This At this time the trolley l100 is moved inwardly and withreversal of the gates 186, 188, FIGURE 2, the arms 160, 162 of thetrolley are moved to a position just ready to embrace the lower end ofthe stand 180.

Now by reference to FIGURE 13, it will be noted that through thehydraulic cylinders 54, FIGURES 1 and 3, the drill head 78 has beenhydraulically fed upwardly relative to assembly 42, and along with themakeand-break chuck 192, so that the trolley 100 has also been broughtinto trapping relation to the stand. The make-and-break chuck is thendropped away.

By reference to FIGURE 14, the drill head has descended through operatorcontrol of the draw works and .as such -descent was effected the trolley100 retracted tol swing the bottom end 182 to the retracted horizontalposition. Note that the drill head 78 has retained its same elevatedposition on the travelling block assembly 42, providing proper alignmentof the stand 180 in the central make-up area 96 and s-o that the drillhead is clear for indexing back to vertical. Note that the transfervunit 98 at the left side is still retracted at this point and that thetrolley 100 still embraces the other end of the stand inwardly of thet-ool joint portion 182. Visualize now that the transfer unit 98 iselevated upwardly and moved forwardly to grasp the female joint portion'138 and the joint spun out by powering the drill spindle 92. Unit 98then retracts to the exact position of FIG- URE 2 and the trolley isheld still.

As shown in FIGURE l5, the drill head 78 has been indexedto thelvertical and is now ready to reach down into the make-and-break chuck192, to make connection with the top end of the drill string once againfor removal of another stand. At this time the trolley 100 is moved tothe dotted outline position for unloading before the drill head startsits upward vertical movement. At this point the' racking crane lifts thehorizontal stand out of transfer 98 and trolley'100, freeing theseelements for recycle. As previously mentioned, the stand iscranetransferred to horizontal storage. Y

InFIGURE 1l, the drill head has been dropped down to make connection andthe cycle is ready to be repeated, following FIGURES l2-15, inclusive.

1 0 BRIEF SUMMATION In view of the foregoing, the trip-in cycle involvesthe following steps:

(a) Breaking the drill head loose from the string;

(b) Moving the drill head up for clearance over the make-and-breakchuck, on the travelling block assembly 42; moves trolley forward aheadof bottom joint;

(c) Indexing the drill head 90 into alignment with a drill standpreviously loaded on transfer unit and powered trolley;

(d) Moving stand axially into connection with drill head;

(e) Lifting drill head and moving trolley to pull stand to drilling axisalignment; and

(f) Stabbing in under control and releasing lower end of stand fordrilling.

The trip-out cycle isbriefly summarized as the following steps:

(a) Connecting drill head to top of drill string and releasing string;

(b) Lifting the string the length of the stand;

(c) Breaking out the stand and adjusting the stand to clear the knockerchuck and engage the trolley;

(d) Lowering drill head and reversing trolley and moving stand tohorizontal position, and breaking the stand away from the drill head;

(e) Indexing drill head back to vertical; and

(f) Dropping drill head to move trolley to release position forunloading, and for connection of drill head to string for recycle.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the presentinvention provides a rapid interim automated system that can be appliedto conventional drilling equipment, retrogressing slightly from a purelyautomated system. In accordance with the present invention, limitedautomation now has been applied to conventional equipment; but first,the highest level of equipment automation has been sought out; then,utilizing the important basic principles, a retrogression to a level ofdesign determined by economic circumstances has beenmade. Of course, thebenefits of interim automation are correspondingly reduced and equipmentoperation is semi-automatic; but at least the direction of developmentis more compatible with the precepts of automation, a technology whichwill eventually reach all industries. Viewing the highest state of theart and stepping back to a lower level of technology while retaining thebasic principles of pure automation is a more effective approach than toattempt to apply automation to equipment which was originally conceivedfor manual operation vand dedicated to the application of operator elortand vigilance.

In considering some of the fundamental principles of the pure automateddrilling units which have been retained in the pressent interimautomation system, an important concept of "Never let go of the drillpipe has been retained. This is brought out in the previous discussionWhere both ends of the drill stand are always under guidance and controland conned in all pipemaking and transferring operations by the aid ofautomation components. It will be shown that this arrangement hascircumvented the pendulum swinging action of the travelling block anddrill pipe during the make-up operation which is extremely hazardous andoften damaging to tool joint threads.

EXTENDED SCOPE OF INVENTION A While the prior description has related tothe use of a double stand 180, it is to be understood that the broadscope of invention will encompass the single and treble stands as well.

Also, the prior description has shown the drill head being indexed tothe front side of the derrick for cooperation with the transfer unit andthe trolley. The broad scope of invention would of course includeoperation of the drill head either to the front end or back side of thedrilling derrick.

Still further, the prior description has related to the use of anautomated make-and-break chuck as forming the subject of copendingapplication Serial No. 52,274, now Patent No. 3,158,213, file-d August26, 1960. However, it is to be considered within the scope of inventionto apply the present system to a conventional bowl chuck and power tongsin place of the automatic make-and-break chuck 192. By so operating, itwill be obvious that a truly interim automation system is provided inaccordance with the present invention using a conventional derrick andconventional bowl chuck and power tongs with modified travelling blockassembly.

While the foregoing description has related to a threaded connectionbetween the drill head spindle and the pipe stand, it is to beconsidered within the scope of invention to use a grapple or bowl chuckgrasping connection at this point. l

The foregoing description has alluded to the fact that pipe is moved tothe horizontal position in the central make-up area by means of a cranefrom an adjacent storage area. Also from the foregoing description itwill be understood that the storage area suitably provides for thestorage of pipe in horizontal rows. Further it should be pointed outthat the horizontal storage would suitably include sets of rows of pipe.Such storage is preferred for most eifective operation. However, thebroad scope of the invention would include other than horizontalstorage, with suitable transfer to the central make-up area beingprovided.

RSUM ASPECTS AND ADVANTAGES It will be noted that advance is provided inthe art by the present invention by the fact that 60 foot stands of pipeare horizontally disposed in pipe racks and transferred by a crane to acentral make-up area. As previously discussed, all make-and-breakoperations are elected at substantially derrick floor level where, inthe event of malfunction, operators standing on a firm footing andhaving power equipment available can remedy any defects.

Still further, all make-and-break operations can be automated or, with alesser degree of automation, at least the stabbing-in operation is undermachine guiding control rather than muscle power guiding control. Inthis aspect of the invention, it will be noted that the rollers 176 and178 of the trolley 100 are so spaced as to provide a guiding hold on thelower end of the stand to limit pendulum swinging movement and make thestabbing-in operation by use of a subjacent bowl chuck a mechanizedprocedure without the necessity of human hands for guiding. In thisrespect it is to be considered within the scope of the invention to haverollers 176 and 178 imovable together to embrace the stem forstabbing-in.

A further advantage of the present invention resides in the fact thatthe drill head is slidably mounted and hydraulically powered in thegui-ded travelling block, to provide cushioned drill pipe make-up.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the drill pipe isconfined as well as guided directly into the center of the derrick forthe next operation.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the trolley guides-the lower end of the drill pipe right into the drilling axis during thepipe elevating operation.

During the elevating of the drill head and travelling block combination,the drill head is gradually rotated to maintain a position determined bythe axis of the drill pipe.

Further advantage in the interim automation system of the presentinvention is in the fact that a conventional draw works is utilized forelevating and lowering drill pipe; however, actual drill pipe movementduring make-up and break-up operations is controlled and cushioned;thus, accurate pipe positioning is assured and remains independent ofoperator accuracy in positioning the travelling block for the make-upoperation.

It is a further advantage of the present invention that a reasonablyhigh speed operation is provided. Trip time with the interim automation.system of this invention should be in excess of ve thousand feet perhour, with only one man performing the actual drilling ope-ration.

Perhaps an even more important consideration is the fact that all drillpipe make-up operations are performed at substantially derrick floorlevel, thus making it easier to monitor all drill string assemblyoperations.

O-shore operations applications-Automatic drilling techniques inaccordance with the present invention can be readliy applied to fixedplatforms or floating barges in off-shore operations. Actually, theapplication of automation in this area can result in greater costsavings than in land based operations, because of the la-rge number ofpersons involved, along with the attendant problems of logistics.

On floating drilling vessels, automation is especially desirable becauseof the problem of guiding and stabbing drill pipe and drill collars on arocking vessel. The pendulum swinging action of the travelling block anddrill pipe combination is extremely hazardous and makes the alignmentand threading of the pipe connection diflicult and time consuming. Inhandling drill collars, guiding and positioning effected by ropes andthe physical efforts of men even the calmest of `seas leaves much to bedesired. In accordance with the present invention, as previously broughtout, these problems are overcome.

claim:

l. In a method of adding a stand of pipe to a drill string, the steps ofgrasping the top end of the drill string,

positioning a stand of drill pipe horizontally at about the drill floorlevel in transverse intersecting alignment with the drilling axis andwith the top end adjacent the drill axis and the bottom end spaced aboutthe length of the stand further away from the drilling axis,

grasping the top end of the stand and trapping the bottom end while in ahorizontal position,

moving the top end vertically upwardly adjacent and along the drillingaxis and simultaneously moving the bottom end horizontally toward thedrilling axis to swing the stand into coaxial alignment on the drillaxis above the drill string,

connecting the bottom end of the stand to the drill string, and

untrapping the bottom end of the stand.

2. In a method of removing a stand of pipe from a drill string, thesteps of grasping the top end of a drill string,

moving the string upwardly `to expose the top stand,

grasping the string beneath the top stand, breaking the exposed standout of the string while trapping the bottom end of the stand,

simultaneously moving the top end vertically downwardly along andadjacent the drill axis and moving the bottom end horizontally away fromthe drill axis to swing the stand from coaxial alignment on the drillaxis to a horizontal position adjacent the drill axis,

and releasing the stand .at the top end and untrapping the bottom end.

3. In a method of removing a stand of pipe from a drill string, thesteps of exposing the top end of the stand,

grasping the top end of the stand,

restraining the bottom end of the stand,

breaking and spinning out the stand from the string while restrainingthe bottom Iof the stand in axial alignment to the drilling axis,

trapping the bottom end of the stand,

relieving the previously-imposed restraint,

simultaneously removing the top end vertically downwardly along andadjacent the drilling axis and moving the bottom end yhorizontally awayfrom the drill- 13 ing axis to swing the stand from coaxial alignment onthe drill axis to the horizontal plane, `then releasing the stand at thetop end and untrapping the bottom end. 4. In a method of removing astand of pipe from a drill a derrick having vertical guide meansthereon,

a body member having a sheave journalled for rota- -tion thereon,

said .body member having at least one downwardly depending arm forming avertical guideway,

a support block movable on said guidevvay, string, the steps of ahydraulic cylinder having one end connected to said grasping the top endof the stand, body member and the other end connected to said trappingthe bottom end of the stand, support block, means for introducinghydraulic uid breaking the stand out of the string, and into saidcylinder to move said support block, simultaneously moving the top endvertically downa drillhead carried by said support block for pivotalwardly along and adjacent the drill axis and moving movement `on ahorizontal axis, the bottom end away from the drill axis to swing theIneens fOr eonflollably pivoting Said dfillhead, and stand from coaxialalignment 0n the drill axis to means mounting said body to said guidemeans for horizontal. lineal vertical movement. 5. In ,an interimautomatic drilling system, including 15 8- In a drilling System, aderrick having ventical railsy a derrick having vertical guide meansthereon, a travelling block, and ya travelling block, means including acable connected te incve the iravmeans for moving Said travelling blockalong Said verelling block, tical guide means, the improvement whereinthe travelling block comprises Said travelling bleek including e bodymember, a tbody member having at least one sheave journalled gnldeWaYIneens 0n Said bOdY member,

for rota-tion thereon, a drillhead mounted for movement on said guidewaysaid body member having downwardly depending arms means, v

forming guideways on eimer Side, means supporting said drillliead forpivotal movement support blocks movable in Said guideways betweenvertical and horizontal positions, means for moving said support blockson said guideand means for plv'otmg Sald dnuhead ways, a drillheadcarried by said support blocks for pivotal References Cited by theExammer movement on a horizontal axis, UNITED STATES PATENTS means forcontrollably pivoting said drillhead, 2,425,292 8/ 1947 McCoy 2l4-2.5and means mounting said body to said rails for lineal 2,630,931 3/ 1953Douglas 214-658 Vertical movement, 2,643,005 6/1953 De JHIIle- 214-25 6.The invention defined in ciaim s wherein the body 2,848,196 8/1958Simmonds 175-52 of the -travelling block includes a passage in axialalign- 2,956,782 10/1960 Mlstmt 175-203 X ment with the drillheadproviding access tothe drill string. Scott 2122-25 X 7. In an interim.automatic drilling system including 350833342 $1963 Ileetr a travellingblock,

means including a cable connected to'move the trav- 4 elling block,

the improvement wherein the travelling block comprises 0 ERNEST R.PURSER, Primary Examiner. CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.

I. A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner.

4. IN A METHOD OF REMOVING A STAND OF PIPE FROM A DRILL STRING, THESTEPS OF GRASPING THE TOP END OF THE STAND, TRAPPING THE BOTTOM END OFTHE STAND, BREAKING THE STAND OUT OF THE STRING, AND SIMULTANEOUSLYMOVING THE TOP END VERTICALLY DOWNWARDLY ALONG AND ADJACENT THE DRILLAXIS AND MOVING THE BOTTOM END AWAY FROM THE DRILL AXIS TO SWING THESTAND FROM COAXIAL ALIGNMENT ON THE DRILL AXIS TO HORIZONTAL.
 8. IN ADRILLING SYSTEM, A DERRICK HAVING VERTICAL GUIDE MEANS THEREON, ATRAVELLING BLOCK, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TRAVELLING BLOCK ALONG SAIDVERTICAL GUIDE MEANS, SAID TRAVELLING BLOCK INCLUDING A BODY MEMBER,GUIDEWAY MEANS ON SAID BODY MEMBER, A DRILLHEAD MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT ONSAID GUIDEWAY MEANS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID DRILLHEAD FOR PIVOTALMOVEMENT BETWEEN VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL POSITIONS, AND MEANS FORPIVOTING SAID DRILLHEAD.